Holder for trotline fishhooks

ABSTRACT

A holder for trotline fishhooks in the form of an elongated case with a rib on the bottom thereof midway between the opposite sides as a support for a row of fishhooks on the line. The shanks of the hooks extend through a slot in the bottom of the case at one side of the rib. A cover closes the top of the case, seated on shoulders at the sides, and has a pin member to overlap the row of hooks to prevent them from being displaced lengthwise of the rib when the cover is closed.

U ited States Patent 191- Nunley v f 111' 3,803,750 v [4 1' Apr. 1 ,1974

[ HOLDER FOR TROTLINE FISHHOOKS [76] Inventor: Dan Nunley, 4285 Bonham,Odessa,

Tex. 79760 22 Filed: Feb. 1, 1973 21 Appl. No; 328,545

[52] US. Cl 43/545 A [51] Int. Cl .5 A0lk 97/06 [58] Field of Search43/545 R, 54.5 A, 57.5 R, 43/57.5 A

[56] References Cited I UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,512,295' 5/1970 La Barge43/575 R 2,242,509 5/19 1 Coalson 43 545 A 1,997,243 '4/1935gVanderhider et aL. 4/1953 Stevens et a1 43/545 A PrimdryExaminer-Rbbert Peshock Assistant Examiner-4. A. Oliff Attorney, Agent,or Firm-Bums, Doane, Swecker &

Mathis [57 ABSTRACT A holder for trotline fishhooks in the form of anelongated case with a rib on the bottom thereof midway betweentheopposite sides as a support for a row of fishhooks on the line. Theshanks of the hooks extend through a slot, in thebottom of the case atone side of the rib. A cover closes the top of the case, seated onshoulders at the sides, and has a pin member-tooverlap the row of hooksto prevent them from being displaced lengthwise of the rib when thecoveris closed.

10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures- FIGS PATENTEB APR 16 I976 HOLDER FORTROTLINE FISHHOOKS SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates toimprovements in Holders for Trotline Fishhooks.

A trotline has the fishhooks spaced along the length of the line, withthe shanks of the hooks secured to the line. These may be either singlehooks or multiple hooks. In transporting the trotline, it is importantto prevent tangling of the line and to keep the hooks separated andready for use.

Holders have been proposed heretofore but these have been complex ofstructure, have not securely retained the hooks, or have'notaccommodated either single or multiple hooks, or have been generallyineffective.

One object of this invention is to improve the construction of trotlineholders, while overcoming the ob-- jections to holders proposedheretofore for the purpose.

Another object of the invention is to provide for threading the hooksinto and out of the holder at an end thereof and for securely retainingthe hooks against accidental displacement.

A further object of the invention is to provide a holder which willaccommodate hooks of different types, single or multiple hooks, and yetwill prevent tangling thereof or of the line to which they areattached.

These objects may be accomplished, according to one embodiment of theinvention, by an elongated case having a slot in the bottom thereofextending inwardly from one end of the case. A rib is secured on thebottom of the case at one side of the slot to receive the hooks thereonand with the shanks of the hooks extending through the slot inside-by-side relation spaced along the length of the slot. A cover ishinged at the opposite end of the case and closes over the hooks toretain them in place on the rib. A head member carried by the coverextends in overlapping relation with the hooks at the open end of theslot to prevent the hooks from being displaced unintentionally.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS This embodiment of the invention isillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the holder;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section therethrough on the line 22 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross section therethrough on the line 33 in FIG. 2;-

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the holder with the trotline wrappedtherearound; and

FIG. 5 is a detail-plan view of the case. open and showing a differentform of fishhook.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DISCLOSURE A trotline is formed of a long lengthof line T from which leaders L extend at spaced intervals therealong andare attached at one end to the line T. The opposite ends of therespective leaders L carry hooks H or H, to be used in a conventionalmethod of fishing with such a trotline. The hooks may be single, asindicated at H (FIG. 3), or triple, as indicated at H (FIG. 5).

The holder for the hooks comprises an elongated case capable ofreceiving and confining the hooks on the trotline for carrying thesewhen not in use. The case may be made of any suitable materialfabricated to the desired size and shape. In this embodiment it is shownas a form of wood.

The case has a bottom 1, with opposite sides 2 upstanding from oppositeedges of the bottom I. The case has a longitudinal recess or chamber 3therein between the upstanding sides for receiving the hooks.

A rib 4 is mounted on the bottom 1 of the case midway between theopposite sides 2 and of the recess or chamber 3. The height of the rib 4is less than the height of the recess to allow space for the hooks toextend over the rib. The width of the rib 4 in cross sectionisappreciably less than the width of the recess 3 to accommodate one ormore prongs of the hooks on one or both opposite sides thereof (seeFIGS. 3 and 5).

The bottom 1 of the case has a slot 5 therein beside the rib 4 andextending through the bottom and along the length of the case from oneend toward the opposite end. As shown in FIG. 1, the recess 3 is open atthe one end of the case for threading of the hooks over the exposed endof the rib 4, the shanks of the hooks extending downward through theslot 5. The hooks are thus inserted and removed at the end of the case.

The upstanding sides 2 have facing shoulders 6 extending along thelength thereof throughout the length of the case and located in a planeat the top of the recess. A cover 7 fits between the upper edge portionsof r the sides 2, and is seated at opposite edges upon the shoulders 6.One end of the cover 7 is connected by a hinge 8 (FIG. 4) with an end ofthe case, to permit the cover to be raised and lowered, as illustratedin dotted lines and in full lines in FIG/2. Thehinge8 preferablyincludes a torsion spring 9 tending to move the cover to a closedposition over the hooks.

It will be noted that the cover is hinged at the opposite end of thecase from the open end of the recess and slot. The coveris held by theshoulders 6 spaced above the hooks on the rib 4. The free end ofthecover has a safety catch or stop in the form of a depending abutment10, such as the head of a screw or nail, extending downward thereform inclosed position in overlapping relation with the hooks. This safetycatch prevents the hooks from sliding through the open end of the caseaccidentally.

If the case be made of multiple pieces of wood or other material, thesemay be secured together in rigid relation by suitable fastenings, suchas screws 11 (FIG. 3);

By locating the rib 4 midway of the recess 3 between the sides 2, thecase can accommodate either single hooks I-I engaged over the rib 4(FIG. 3), or multiple hooks I-I' (FIG. 5). The latter have one hook eachextending over the rib 4 while the other two hooks will fit in therecess at a side of the rib.

' I The case is light in weight, inexpensive to construct and iseffective to hold the fishhooks, either single or multiple hooks. Notonly are the hooks confined in the case for carrying, but this preventstangling of the line. The line T can be wrapped around the case (FIG. 4)for carrying purposes. 7

The holder is easy to use. The hooks snap in and out easily, sliding onthe rib 4, with the shanks sliding into and out of the open slot. Thenpulling on the line causes the hooks to snap tightly into place. Whenall hooks are secure, the box may be turned a few times to wind up theline, and then stored.

scribed in one embodiment, it is recognized that variations and changesmay be made therein without departing from the invention as set forth inthe claims.

I claim: 7

l. A holder for trotline fishhooks having an elongated shank and one ormore curved barbed ends, said holder comprising an elongated case havinga bottom with a pair of laterally spaced sides upstanding and attachedto the bottom and extending lengthwise of the case, an elongated ribforming a hook holder secured to the bottom and upstanding therefromapproximately midway between the upstanding sides, the bottom having alongitudinally extending slot therein extending to one longitudinal endof the case for slidably receiving the shanks of the fishhookstherethrough and with the curved barbed ends engaging over the hookholder rib, and a lid mounted on the case between the upstanding sidewalls for closing movement thereover, said lid in closed position beingspaced from the adjacent edge of the rib a distance substantially equalto the thickness of the curved barbed end to hold the-fishhooks in a rowalong the rib, the mounting of the lid providing for raising of the lidoutof the case to expose the row of tishooks therein.

2. A holder for trotline fishhooks according to claim I, wherein theopposite faces of the rib are spaced from the adjacentupstanding sidesto receive curved barbed end portions therebetween.

3. A holder for trotline fishhooks, according to claim 1, includingmeans hinging the lid at one-end to the case, and means yieldably urgingthe lid to a closed position over the fishhooks on the rib.

4. A holder for trotline fishhooks, according to claim 1, includingmeans carried by the lid in closed position and depending therefrom intothe path of the row of 'fishhooks on the rib for preventing longitudinaldisand attached to the bottom at opposite edge portions hookstherethrough lengthwise of the case and with at least one curved barbedend of each hook engaging over the hook holder rib, a lid hingedlymounted at one end on the case in position for closing over the barbedends of the fishhooks on the holder rib and defining a space betweensaid lid and said elongated rib which is substantially the thickness ofsaid curved barbed ends of said fishhooks, means on said lid whichextends between said lid and said rib for retaining said fishhooks inspace, and means yieldably urging the lid to a closed position over thefishhooks on the rib.

7. A holder for trotline fishhooks, according to claim 6, includingshoulders in the laterally spaced sides in positions for engagement bythe lid to hold the lid elevated above the fishhooks.

8. A holder for trotline fishhooks, according to claim 6, includingmeans carried by the lid and extending downwardly therefrom in closedposition in overlapping relation with the curved barbed ends of thefishhooks to retain said fishhooks against lengthwise displacementthrough the slot.

9. A holder for trotline fishhooks, according to claim 6, including aspring connected with the lid and yieldably urging the lid to a closedposition over the' fishhooks.

10. A holder, for trotline fishhooks having an elongated shank and oneor' more curved barbed ends thereon, said holder comprising an elongatedwooden case having a wooden bottom, a pair of laterally spaced woodensides attached tothe bottom at opposite longitudinal edges thereof andextending lengthwise of the case, each of said pair of laterally spacedwooden sides having a shoulder, an elongated wooden rib forming ahookholder and mounted on the bottom generally midway between the sidesand extending lengthwise in the case, a longitudinally extending slotprovided in the bottom positioned at one lateral edge of the hookholderrib and open at one longitudinal end of the case for slidingly receivingthe shanks of fishhooks therein lengthwise of the case and with at leastone curved barbed end engaging over the hookholder rib, a spring biasedhinge mounted on a second lateral edge of the holder, a wooden lid oneend of which is attached to said spring biased hinge and which isreceived between said pair of laterally spaced sides and spaced abovesaid elongated rib by said shoulders on said pair of laterally spacedsides, said spring biased hinge resiliently urging said lid toward aclosed position, a second end of said lid being provided with meansextending downwardly and overlapping a space defined between said lid insaid closed position and said elongated rib whereby fishhooks areretained therein against lengthwise displacement through the open end ofsaid longitudinally extending slot.

1. A holder for trotline fishhooks having an elongated shank and one ormore curved barbed ends, said holder comprising an elongated case havinga bottom with a pair of laterally spaced sides upstanding and attachedto the bottom and extending lengthwise of the case, an elongated ribforming a hook holder secured to the bottom and upstanding therefromapproXimately midway between the upstanding sides, the bottom having alongitudinally extending slot therein extending to one longitudinal endof the case for slidably receiving the shanks of the fishhookstherethrough and with the curved barbed ends engaging over the hookholder rib, and a lid mounted on the case between the upstanding sidewalls for closing movement thereover, said lid in closed position beingspaced from the adjacent edge of the rib a distance substantially equalto the thickness of the curved barbed end to hold the fishhooks in a rowalong the rib, the mounting of the lid providing for raising of the lidout of the case to expose the row of fishooks therein.
 2. A holder fortrotline fishhooks according to claim 1, wherein the opposite faces ofthe rib are spaced from the adjacent upstanding sides to receive curvedbarbed end portions therebetween.
 3. A holder for trotline fishhooks,according to claim 1, including means hinging the lid at one end to thecase, and means yieldably urging the lid to a closed position over thefishhooks on the rib.
 4. A holder for trotline fishhooks, according toclaim 1, including means carried by the lid in closed position anddepending therefrom into the path of the row of fishhooks on the rib forpreventing longitudinal displacement thereof through the open end of theslot while the lid is closed.
 5. A holder for trotline fishhooksaccording to claim 3, including means carried by the lid in closedposition and extending into overlapping relation with the fishhooks onthe holder rib for preventing displacement thereof through the open endof the slot.
 6. A holder for trotline fishhooks having an elongatedshank and one or more curved barbed ends thereon, said holder comprisingan elongated case having a bottom and a pair of laterally spaced sidesupstanding from and attached to the bottom at opposite edge portionsthereof and extending lengthwise of the case, an elongated rib forming ahook holder and mounted on the bottom midway between the upstandingsides and extending lengthwise in the case, the bottom having alongitudinally extending slot therein at one lateral edge of the hookholder rib and open at one longitudinal end of the case for slidinglyreceiving the shanks of the fishhooks therethrough lengthwise of thecase and with at least one curved barbed end of each hook engaging overthe hook holder rib, a lid hingedly mounted at one end on the case inposition for closing over the barbed ends of the fishhooks on the holderrib and defining a space between said lid and said elongated rib whichis substantially the thickness of said curved barbed ends of saidfishhooks, means on said lid which extends between said lid and said ribfor retaining said fishhooks in space, and means yieldably urging thelid to a closed position over the fishhooks on the rib.
 7. A holder fortrotline fishhooks, according to claim 6, including shoulders in thelaterally spaced sides in positions for engagement by the lid to holdthe lid elevated above the fishhooks.
 8. A holder for trotlinefishhooks, according to claim 6, including means carried by the lid andextending downwardly therefrom in closed position in overlappingrelation with the curved barbed ends of the fishhooks to retain saidfishhooks against lengthwise displacement through the slot.
 9. A holderfor trotline fishhooks, according to claim 6, including a springconnected with the lid and yieldably urging the lid to a closed positionover the fishhooks.
 10. A holder for trotline fishhooks having anelongated shank and one or more curved barbed ends thereon, said holdercomprising an elongated wooden case having a wooden bottom, a pair oflaterally spaced wooden sides attached to the bottom at oppositelongitudinal edges thereof and extending lengthwise of the case, each ofsaid pair of laterally spaced wooden sides having a shoulder, anelongated wooden rib forming a hookholder and mounted on the bottomgenerally midway between the sides and extenDing lengthwise in the case,a longitudinally extending slot provided in the bottom positioned at onelateral edge of the hookholder rib and open at one longitudinal end ofthe case for slidingly receiving the shanks of fishhooks thereinlengthwise of the case and with at least one curved barbed end engagingover the hookholder rib, a spring biased hinge mounted on a secondlateral edge of the holder, a wooden lid one end of which is attached tosaid spring biased hinge and which is received between said pair oflaterally spaced sides and spaced above said elongated rib by saidshoulders on said pair of laterally spaced sides, said spring biasedhinge resiliently urging said lid toward a closed position, a second endof said lid being provided with means extending downwardly andoverlapping a space defined between said lid in said closed position andsaid elongated rib whereby fishhooks are retained therein againstlengthwise displacement through the open end of said longitudinallyextending slot.